Automatic monitoring procedural items in a training device

ABSTRACT

In a training device, such as an aircraft simulator, means for automatically displaying a list of tasks to be performed by a trainee in carrying out a designated procedural training item, indicating actual execution of each task and indicating any task performed in other than a predetermined sequence. The tasks associated with each item may be listed on slides, the appropriate slide being projected for viewing on a display screen having associated lights adjacent each task listing. The lights are turned on as the tasks are performed and blink on and off if a task is performed out of sequence. Alternate constructions disclosed include CRT displays and changing the color of the task name on the display to indicate performance or improper sequence.

United States Patent 11 1 Mortimer 1451 July 17, 1973 AUTOMATICMONITORING PROCEDURAL ITEMS IN A TRAINING DEVI CE [75] Inventor: CharlesP. L. Mortimer,

Binghamton, NY.

[73] Assignee: The Singer Company, New York,

22 Filed: Mar. 15,1971

[21] Appl.No.: 123,958

[52] US. Cl 35/12 R [56 References Cited v UNITED STATES PATENTS PrimaryExaminer- Wm. H. Grieb Attorney-Francis L. Massell, William 'Grobman andCharles S. McGuire [5 7 ABSTRACT In a training device, such as anaircraft simulator, means for automatically displaying a list of tasksto be performed by a trainee in carrying out a designated proceduraltraining item, indicating actual execution of each task and indicatingany task performed in other than a predetermined sequence. The tasksassociated with each item may be listed on slides, the appropriateslidev being projected for viewing on a display screen having associatedlights adjacent each task listing.- The lights are turned on as thetasks are performed and blink on and off if a task is performed out ofsequence. Alternate constructions disclosed include CRT displays andchanging the color of the task name on the display 3,508,346 4 1970Norman et a1.- 35 12 w 3,405,457 10/1968 Bit zer 35 9 R performance orSequence 2,894,335 7/1959 Florea 35/12 W 7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures lll3 I y SLIDE SIM. COMP. LOGIC PROJ.

7 17% t3 SCREEN INST. STA.

PATENTEU 3.745.671

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ATTORNEY AUTOMATIC MONITORING PROCEDURAL ITEMS IN A TRAINING DEVICE Thisinvention relates to training in general and more particularly toapparatus which provides an instructor with information concerningtrainee performance.

In training devices, such as aircraft simulators, it is important for aninstructor to be able to evaluate trainee performance during theexecution of procedural items. Generally this has been done by providingthe instructor with repeaters, status indicators, and/or providing ahard copy printout of a performance evaluation. These methods ofproviding such information present certain problems. A series ofindicators on a display panel are difficult to scan and correlate and ahard copy print is usually only available after the procedure has beencompleted. The present application discloses apparatus which willdisplay to the instructor immediately, and in an easily understandablemanner, information concerning trainee performance of procedural items.

It is the object of this invention to provide apparatus to facilitateinstructor evaluation of student performance during the execution ofprocedural items in a trainer.

It is also an object to provide apparatus which will do so by providinga visual display of the tasks to be performed, their order of executionand errors in order of execution.

Another object is to provide such apparatus which will be particularlyuseful in aircraft simulators.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus embodying features ofconstruction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts asexemplified in the following detailed disclosure and the scope ofinvention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the inventionreference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of the display associated with FIG. 1.

' FIG. 3 is a logic diagram of the logic used in the embodiment of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the flasher of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 6a and 6b are views of the display associated with FIG. 5.

Procedural items may be of many types. For purposes of simplicity theymay be classed as normal procedures and procedures in response tomalfunctions. In a flight simulator, examples of the first type would betakeoff procedures, landing procedures, climbing, turning, etc. Examplesof the latter type would be engine failure, fire, loss ofpressurization, etc. For each item a definite procedure has beenestablished which must be followed if the desired result is to beachieved.

To implement the system each procedural item must be assigned apriority. Since proper execution of procedures in response tomalfunctions is normally more important than normal procedures,malfunction items would normally be assigned the highest priorities andthe normal functions lower priorities. (It is assumed the instructor mayonly monitor one item at a time, as will be explained below.) For thesake of explaining the principles involved in the invention only threeexemplary items will be used in the present application. These will betake off, turning, and engine loss due to carburetor icing.

The procedures to be followed and the priority assigned for each will beassumed to be as follows:

. Loss of engine due to carburetor icing: stick forward turn on deicingrestart engine Take off: check right magneto check left magneto applypower Turn left: stick left left rudder depressed stick back FIG. 1shows a simulator 11 and its associated computer 13. Indications ofcontrol and switch movements which occur in the cockpit will be sent tothe computer 13 to be used in flight, engine and other equations. Thus,an indication of each of the actions required in each procedural itemwill be available in the computer when performed and may be provided tologic block 15. Also connected to logic block 15 is an instructorsstation 17. The instructor may select the procedure to be observed atwhich time a command will be sent to logic block 15 which will in turnactivate slide projector 19 and select the proper slide. One slide foreach procedural-item containing a list such as shown on FIG. 2 will bestored in projector 19 which is a random access projector. Projector 19will project this slide onto screen 21 which the instructor may view.Next to screen 21 is a panel 23 containing a series of lightscorresponding to the list on the slides as shown on FIG. 2. These lightsare controlled by logic block 15 as will be explained below. As thetrainee performs the required functions, an indication from computer 13will be sent to logic block 15 which will cause the proper lights onpanel 23 to light. The instructor will select only normal procedures toobserve. If a malfunction occurs a command from computer 13 willoverride the normal procedure as will be described below.

FIG. 3 shows a possible construction of logic block 15. Switch 25represents one of a number of selection switches located at theinstructor station andis used to select the procedure to be observed (inthe present example, take off or left turn). Line 27 comes from thecomputer and will have a signal on it when an engine loss due to icingoccurs. Block 28 contains decoding logic for two binary digits toprovide a signal to projector 19 of FIG. 1. The coded signal input toblock 28 is obtained from OR gates 29 and 31. If the output of gate 29is considered a binary l and that of gate-3| a binary zero, thenselection of left turn on the instructors switch will result in a oneoutput from gate 29, and selection of takeoff an output of one from gate31. If a malfunction occurs both gates will have inputs from line 27 andan output of a binary one will result from both gates 29 and 31. Intable form the coded data will Procedure Binary Decimal Left Turn I0 ITake Off 2 Engine Loss l l 3 Line 33 then will provide a decoded outputto the projector and the proper slide will be selected.

The remaining logic is used to control the lamps on panel 23 of FIGS. 1and 2. AND gates 35, 37 and 39 are used to select the procedure forwhich the lamps are to be controlled. Gate 39 will have an output wheninputs from both gates 29 and 31 (indicating engine failure) arepresent. The output from gate 39 is provided as one input to gates 41,43 and 45. Their second inputs, on lines 47, 49 and 51 respectively,will be the stick forward, deicing on, and engine start commands fromcomputer 13 of FIG. 1. Thus, as these actions are performed by thepilot, outputs will appear on the gates 41, 43 and 45. These outputsprovide, respectively, one input to OR gates 53, 55 and 57, which willin turn have outputs whenever an input is present. The outputs of gates53, 55, 57 are connected to lamps 59, 61 and 63 and also provide oneinput to AND gates 65, 67 and 69. They also provide inputs to OR gate71. AND gates 65, 67, and 69 provide inputs to flasher circuits 73, 75and 77, an exemplary construction of one such circuits being shown indetail on FIG. 4. The output of gate 71 is an input to latching counter79 which provides the second set of inputs to gates 65, 67 and 69.

When the engine loss occurs gates 29 and 31 will bothhave outputscausing AND gate 39 to have an output. This will enable gates 41, 43 and45. If the pilot follows the proper procedure and pushes his stickforward a signal will appear at 47 and an output from gate 41 willresult. This output will cause an output at gate 53 which will causegate 71 to have an output and counter 79 (which was reset via line 80when the malfunction occurred) will count 1 and have an output on line 1line which will enable gate 65. The output from gate 53 will be ANDEDwith the 1 output from the counter and gate 65 will have an output to ORgate 65 which is connected to flasher circuit 73.

Referring now to FIG. 4, block 81 is a flasher mechanism similar to thetype used in display lighting, Christmas tree lights, etc. Line 83 isthe input line from the preceding gate (i.e. gate 64) and goes to relaycoil 85. If an input is present coil 85 will be energized and the outputline 87 will be-connected to ground. If no input signal'is present, therelay coil 85 will not energize and the output line 87 will be connectedto flasher mechanism 81.

Thus, the input to block 73 from gate 64 will cause block 73 output tobe grounded, thus grounding one side of lamp 59. The output from gate 53will provide a voltage to the other side of lamp 59 and it will belighted. If the pilot then turns on the deicer, lamp 61 will be lightedin the same manner; and when he attempts to restart, lamp 63 will light.

However, if he tries to restart before deicing the results will bedifferent. The restart input at line 51 will cause an output to gates 57and 71 as described in connection with the input on 47. Counter 79'willadvance to "2; Thus the output of block 77 will be connected throughflasher mechanism 81 of FIG. 4 and lamp 63 will flash, indicating thatthe task has been performed out of sequence.

If the instructor has selected takeoff and input indicating amalfunction is not present on line 27, gate 31 will have an output goingto AND gate 37. Its second input is the output of NOR gate 89 which isused to invert the output of gate 39. This assures that gate 37 willhave an output only when gate 31 and not gates 31 and 29 have outputs.

The output of gate 37 enables gates 91, 93 and 95 which have as inputssignals from the computer indicating right magneto, left magneto, andpower application on lines 97, 99 and 101, respectively. Operation fromthis point is as described above with one small difference. The order ofchecking magnetos is not critical but they must be checked beforeapplying power for takeoff. To assure that the lights will not flash ifthe left right order is reversed, a signal B is taken from the output ofgate 37 and connected to the inputs of OR gates 64 and 60. The outputsfrom gates 64 and are inputs to blocks 73, and causing their outputs tobe grounded. Thus, regardless of their order of perfor mance a steadylight will result. But if takeoff power is applied before both left andright are checked, counter 79 will not be a 3 and lamp 63 will flash.

In a similar manner gate 35 enables gates 103, and 107 which have astheir inputs, left rudder, stick left, and stick back on lines 109, 111,and 113. Operation is the same as described above except that all ofthese actions should happen about the same time. To avoid flashing, anoutput A from gate 35 is used to keep the outputs of blocks 73, 75 and77 at ground using OR gates 60, 64 and 68.

Logic has been shown for only a few procedures of a few items. The sametechniques may be used to expand the system. The logic of block 15 ofFIG. 1 shown on FIG. 3 may also be embodied in digital computer 13 usingprograms to cause the logic elements in the computer to perform thedesired functions.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a second embodiment of the invention.The relationship of simulator 1 1 and computer 13 is the same. Logic 15of FIG. 1 is embodied in computer 13, and thus instructor station 17 isconnected only to computer 13. The slide projector and screen arereplaced by a CRT display 121 having, for example, an alphanumericreadout, and storage device 123. The information which as formerlystored on slides is now stored in storage 123 (this may be core storageor any other types of storage normally used with digital computers suchas disk, tape etc.).

Two modes of operation are possible with this embodiment as will beexplained in. connection with FIGS. 6A and 6B. FIG. 6A shows a. possibledisplay on- CRT 121 where the correct sequence of operation isdisplayed. In this mode, selection of the procedure shown (NormalAirborne Calibration) by the instructorwould cause the storedinformation regarding the steps to be taken to be retrieved from memoryand displayed. A timer would be started in the computer and as each stepis performed the time and order of execution (from the start) displayednext to a description of the step. If steps are executed out ofsequence, as indicated by lines 2 and 3, these lines will be made toblink or change in color so as to catch the attention of the instructor.The order is shown to be reversed on the left by the reversal of thenumbers 2 and 3 and on the right the time of execution is shown. Lines 5and 6 are also reversed but since their order is immaterial they willnot be made to blink.

FIG. 6B shows a second mode of operation. In this case rather thandisplay the correct order of steps to be taken, each step is retrievedfrom memory and displayed when it is executed. The numbers at the leftnow indicate the proper order rather than actual order of performance.Steps executed out of order will again be made to blink, change color,etc.

Thus, apparatus which will permit an instructor in a trainer to quicklyand easily evaluate trainee performance during the execution ofprocedural items has been shown. Although specific embodiments have beenshown the principles of the invention may be employed using many variouslogic combinations, both internal and external, to a digital computer.

What is claimed is:

1. In a trainer wherein electrical signals indicating trainee executionof procedural items is provided to and stored in an associated computer,apparatus to provide an instructor with a visual indication of theexecution and order of said execution of procedural items by the traineecomprising:

a. a display screen;

b. means to select one of several procedural items to be displayed;

c. a slide projector containing a plurality of randomly accessibleslides each having tasks associated with one of said several itemsrecorded thereon;

d. means responsive to indications of trainee action stored in thecomputer and to said selection means to cause the slide having the tasksassociated with the selected item to be retrieved from said randomaccess projector and displayed on said screen;

. a plurality of indicator lights aligned with and corresponding to thedisplayed tasks, said lights being responsive to execution of a task bythe trainee; and

f. means to give a visual indication on said display c. digital storagemeans wherein a list of tasks associated with each of said several itemsis stored;

d. means responsive to said selection means to retrieve and display onsaid cathode ray tube said tasks associated with said selected item inproper order of execution; and

e. means responsive to execution of a task by a trainee to cause thetime of execution to be displayed adjacent the associated task on saidcathode ray tube.

3. The invention according to claim 2 and further including means tocause the displayed task and associated time to blink when a task isperformed out of order.

4. The invention according to claim 2 and further including means tocause the displayed task and associated time to be displayed in adifferent color when a task is performed out of order.

5. In a trainer wherein electrical signals indicating trainee executionof procedural items provided to and stored in an associated computer,apparatus to provide an instructor with a visual indication of theexecution and order of said execution of procedural items by the traineecomprising:

a. cathode ray tube display means b. means operable by the instructor toselect one of several procedural items to be displayed;

0. digital storage means wherein a list of tasks associated with each ofsaid several items is stored;

(1. means responsive to the execution of a task by the trainee to causethe tasks to be retrieved and displayed in the order of execution; and

e. means to cause the time of execution to be displayed adjacent thedisplay of each task.

6. The invention according to claim 5 and further in- I cluding means tocause the displayed task and associate time to blink when a task isperformed out of order.

7. The invention according to claim 5 and further including means tocause the displayed task and associated time to be displayed in adifferent color when a task is performed out of order.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3. 745,671 Dated July, 17, 1973 I nv n Charles P. L. Mortimer It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that saidLettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1 first paragraph should read:

'The invention herein described was made in the course of or under acontract, or subcontract thereunder with the Department of the AirForce.

Signed and sealed this 30th day of April 1971;.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD PLFLETGHERJR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents I uscoMM-oc 60376-P69 V U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 5 1,.O-S-33L

1. In a trainer wherein electrical signals indicating trainee execution of procedural items is provided to and stored in an associated computer, apparatus to provide an instructor with a visual indication of the execution and order of said execution of procedural items by the trainee comprising: a. a display screen; b. means to select one of several procedural items to be displayed; c. a slide projector containing a plurality of randomly accessible slides each having tasks associated with one of said several items recorded thereon; d. means responsive to indications of trainee action stored in the computer and to said selection means to cause the slide having the tasks associaTed with the selected item to be retrieved from said random access projector and displayed on said screen; e. a plurality of indicator lights aligned with and corresponding to the displayed tasks, said lights being responsive to execution of a task by the trainee; and f. means to give a visual indication on said display screen of tasks executed in improper order.
 2. In a trainer wherein electrical signals indicating trainee execution of procedural items is provided to and stored in an associated computer, apparatus to provide an instructor with a visual indication of the execution and order of said execution of procedural items by the trainee comprising: a. cathode ray tube display means; b. means operable by the instructor to select one of several procedural items to be displayed; c. digital storage means wherein a list of tasks associated with each of said several items is stored; d. means responsive to said selection means to retrieve and display on said cathode ray tube said tasks associated with said selected item in proper order of execution; and e. means responsive to execution of a task by a trainee to cause the time of execution to be displayed adjacent the associated task on said cathode ray tube.
 3. The invention according to claim 2 and further including means to cause the displayed task and associated time to blink when a task is performed out of order.
 4. The invention according to claim 2 and further including means to cause the displayed task and associated time to be displayed in a different color when a task is performed out of order.
 5. In a trainer wherein electrical signals indicating trainee execution of procedural items provided to and stored in an associated computer, apparatus to provide an instructor with a visual indication of the execution and order of said execution of procedural items by the trainee comprising: a. cathode ray tube display means b. means operable by the instructor to select one of several procedural items to be displayed; c. digital storage means wherein a list of tasks associated with each of said several items is stored; d. means responsive to the execution of a task by the trainee to cause the tasks to be retrieved and displayed in the order of execution; and e. means to cause the time of execution to be displayed adjacent the display of each task.
 6. The invention according to claim 5 and further including means to cause the displayed task and associate time to blink when a task is performed out of order.
 7. The invention according to claim 5 and further including means to cause the displayed task and associated time to be displayed in a different color when a task is performed out of order. 